Hook Heath Residents' Association

2012 Newsletter published

The latest HHRA Newsletter has been published. You should have received a copy through your letter box but you can also download a copy here.

Core strategy amended

WBC have made amendments to the Woking Core Strategy document following the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). These may be viewed on the WBC website under Woking 2027 - WBC/43. The Inspector has requested that previous respondents to the Core Strategy document who wish to amend their comments in the light of the NPPF and Woking Council's amendments should do so by 28th May 2012. If matters of sufficient importance are raised the Planning Inspector may hold an additional one-day hearing in the Council Chamber on12th June 2012 . Otherwise he will deal with comments under the Written Representations Procedure.

Hook Heath Road delays

Here we go!

Work to replace gas mains in Hook Heath has now started and is expected to continue until March 2013.

Football bid for our countryside!

The Woking Football Club took the opportunity during the consultation exercise on the Woking Core Strategy document to revive their plan to relocate the football stadium on 45 acres of greenbelt land to the west of the Egley Road, currently designated for horticultural use and currently occupied by Woking Nurseries. The Football Club have commented that the current strategy lacks any provision for a football club and stadium (perhaps because they already have one - ed)

Fortunately, WBC has responded in their comments to the Planning Inspectorate that they do not favour bringing forward the review of the greenbelt.

Dogs - don't leave a mess

The HHRA committee has received a number of complaints from residents about the unacceptable level of dog fouling in Hook Heath.Particular blackspots are along Mile Path at the junction with Holly Bank Road and in parts of Pond Road.

Owners and dog walkers will also be aware that the regulations state specifically, that being unaware that the dog has fouled, or not having a suitable means of removing the faeces is not a reasonable excuse for failing to clean up after your dog.

So, dog walkers please behave responsibly.If you don’t, you could find you and your dog featured on YouTube.

Kineton Flats Appeal

Plans to erect a block of twelve flats in place of Kineton, a locally listed building in Holly Bank Road, have been rejected by Woking Borough Council's planning committee. Councillors voted unanimously to reject the plan, which had been recommended for approval by WBC's planning department.

Local resident and HHRA member, Terry Oakley, addressed the meeting as did local Councillor for St John's and Hook Heath, Graham Cundy, who made an impassioned plea for the approval recommendation to be overturned.

The proposal was rejected on the grounds that the block of flats was not a suitable replacement for a locally listed building, that it failed to reflect the special character of the area, the mass and bulk of the structure would be inappropriate and it would create an undesirable precedent for future development. This decision is now subject to an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

HHRA chairman Jean Dare declared: "The committee's decision is important for the future of Hook Heath as an Urban Area of Special Residential Character. It also demonstrates the value of HHRA in maintaining a watchful eye on issues that could have an unwelcome impact on this area. My thanks to local residents for the support they gave to the HHRA in opposing this plan: WBC received 156 letters of objection."

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